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Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois Basketball Season Declining Due to Overreliance on Three Point Shooting

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This 2024-25 Illinois basketball season is getting rapidly redefined downward, unfortunately, and it's largely due to the team's overreliance on three point shooting. They are embodying the cliche of "live and die by the three" to the utmost. Tonight at home versus #11 Michigan State, they came out of the gates guns blazing, knocking down several three point attempts. Early … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball Season Declining Due to Overreliance on Three Point Shooting

Terrence Shannon Jr. Went to the MSU Locker Room to Congratulate Tom Izzo

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In any given field, you have certain individuals who just simply achieve rarified air: Marc Andreessen in software engineering, Taylor Swift in music, Kristin Juszczyk in fashion design. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is that for Big Ten men's basketball, and current Minnesota Timberwolves G/F and Illini great Terrence Shannon Jr. recognized that. … [Read more...] about Terrence Shannon Jr. Went to the MSU Locker Room to Congratulate Tom Izzo

Illinois Basketball Game Preview vs #11 Michigan State Spartans

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This Illinois basketball team is now starting to stack up quality wins. And with the #11 Michigan State Spartans coming to town on Saturday night, for a nationally televised (on regular, free over-the-air television, not the usual subscription streaming service bs) marquee matchup, an opportunity for a true "signature win" awaits. … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball Game Preview vs #11 Michigan State Spartans

Ace Bailey Provides a Tough Task for Illini Defenders

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Blue chip, five-star freshman Ace Bailey entered this season with with as much hype up as any one single player. Thus far, the Chattanooga, Tennessee native has delivered the goods, as he currently leads the Big Ten in scoring (top 10 nationally). So when the #23 Illinois Fighting Illini head to the RAC tonight, they'll have a tough assignment on their hands, … [Read more...] about Ace Bailey Provides a Tough Task for Illini Defenders

Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections

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Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood has been great for the program, on a big picture level. He inherited a dumpster fire from John Groce, and within three-to-four years he had the Illini nationally relevant again. And overall, Illinois basketball is in a great place. Credit Athletic Director Josh Whitman on this hire. However, every season of the Underwood era, or so it … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections

Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview

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With 18 of 22 starters returning, Illini football should be special in 2025. Winning ten games, including the Citrus Bowl, has put the program back up at a level relevance that hasn't been seen since 2001. And perhaps most importantly, the Illini have done it by finding and maintaining an identity. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Henry has perfectly articulated the Illini … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview

Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season

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One of the biggest benefits of bowl games is that they provide a glimpse into what is to come the next season. With every bowl game opt-out, a new opportunity is presented for someone else to step in and fill that void. And most of the time it's somebody who will then take on a greater role within the team during the next season. Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty is a … [Read more...] about Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season

Illini Citrus Bowl Win Broke Program Barriers, Set New Milestones

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Believe it or not, the Citrus Bowl includes a college football game- it's not just an infomercial for cheese-flavored crackers. It was one hell of a ballgame too as the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini came in as 10 pt. underdogs and upset #15 South Carolina 21-17, marking the school's first ever win over a SEC team! It was also the first win for the Illini in a traditionally … [Read more...] about Illini Citrus Bowl Win Broke Program Barriers, Set New Milestones

2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why

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It is quite common, within the world of sports, to feel that the status quo will never change for the better. Until one day it finally does, and then that one long-awaited breakthrough leads to a new standard, and with that, a new ceiling. You saw that with the 2022 Illini football team, which was Bret Bielema's second year in charge of the program. That team laid the … [Read more...] about 2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why